Drivers Targeted With Fake Fines

Community Safety Partners at Kent County Council are reporting that Action Fraud has received an increase in reports of elderly drivers becoming victims of fake fines.

What happens:

• The victim is targeted by a criminal impersonating a police officer or traffic warden while parked in a car
• The victim is told they have parked illegally or broken a speed limit and that a photo has been taken of their car as “evidence”
• They are told to pay a small upfront fee immediately or face a substantial penalty fine
• They are directed to a (previously tampered with) parking payment machine
• The criminal shoulder surfs the victim as they enter their pin and the machine retains the victim’s card.

What to do:

• If it is a council car park and you are suspicious about a fine, do not pay it until you have verified with your local council. Please note that payments for parking fines (Penalty Charge Notices) can not be made on any Dover District Council car parking machines.  Only Pay and Display tickets can be purchased from these machines. If it is a private car park check with the company.
• Always shield your PIN from view and never share your PIN with anyone
• If your bank card is retained by the machine, contact your bank immediately to inform them
• If you have been a victim of this type of crime call Kent Police on 101 to report.

Please warn vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours.

For more information on reporting incidents to KCC Trading Standards, please click here – or for more information or to report an incident to Action Fraud, please click here.